Story of Sri Ramakrishna: Shri Jay Lakhani

Since the Advent of Sri Ramakrishna the Story of Sri Ramakrishna has been retold by many eminent people around the world, today I came across one such wonderful retelling of the Story of Sri Ramakrishna by Shri. Jay Lakhani, of the Hindu Academy, UK through the Facebook post of Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi today. The Hindu Academy as mentioned on its website 'aims to promote a Rational and Comprehensive vision of Hinduism with ideas of Religious Pluralism, Spiritual Humanism and also build a bridge between Science and Spirituality by working with educational establishments and the media'.

It consist of 20 videos under the Arise My India series inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna to reignite the spiritual flame of modern India.

SriRamakrishnarpanamastu

Swami Vivekananda Peace Concert...

Today, I came across this beautiful, wonderful and soulful concert 'Swami Vivekananda Peace Concert' organized by the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa on the occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda performed by KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Swami Vivekananda Peace Concert (1):

Swami Vivekananda Peace Concert (2):

Swami Atmapriyananda on 'Concentration' address to the Youth

Swami Atmapriyananda, Vice Chancellor, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University (RKMVU), Belur Math spoke at the recently concluded Three day State Level Youth Convention organized by Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi on 'Concentration' during the session on 'Harnessing the Powers of Mind'. 

Listen to the Podcast courtesy of Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi here: 


To Listen to Revered Swamiji's address at the Youth Convention visit: 
http://archive.org/details/SwamiAtmapriyanandaYouthConvention  

Swami Vivekananda Archive Website

On the occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture has developed a web portal http://vivekanandaarchive.org/ with assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

The web portal contains links to information on and by Swami Vivekananda, Quotations, et al., a very useful resource for all age groups.

YUVA: Youth and Vivekananda

To commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a special Focus programme featuring panel discussions of swamiji's message among the prominent Indian citizens, success stories of those who were inspired by Swamiji; debates; parents - wards interaction; artistes tributes to Swamiji, etc. called YUVA - Youth and Vivekananda will be telecast every Sunday at 4.30 pm (Hindi) and 6.30 pm (English) from July 31, 2011 on CNN-IBN in association with Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Coimbatore

For further information visit website:

http://www.youtube.com/ibnyuva or

http://vivekanandawiki.org/Yuva/About or

http://ibnlive.in.com/yuva/

Watch the first episode (Vivekananda in Indian context) here: http://bit.ly/ibn_yuva1

Watch the second episode (Vivekananda as a World Leader) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva2

Watch the third episode (Aggressive Goodness) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva3

Watch the fourth episode (Aggressive Goodness) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva4

Watch the fifth episode (People Inspired by Swami Vivekananda) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva5

Watch the sixth episode (Case studies of Social Entrepreneurs Inspired by Swami Vivekananda) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva6

Watch the seventh episode (Is India truly Awakened) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva7

Watch the eight episode (Discover the Art of eternalizing Vivekananda's teachings) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva8

Watch the ninth episode (Anna's Inspiration) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva9

Watch the tenth episode (Inspiring the Nation) here: http://j.mp/ibn_yuva10

Shyampukur Bati now part of the Ramakrishna Order

The House where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa stayed for 70 days in 1885 during his illness, 'Shyampukur Bati' was handed over to the Ramakrishna Math and Mission at a ceremony according to the report published in 'The Hindu' dated Friday, November 19, 2010. Shyampukur Bati is also associated with the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and the personal items used by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa have been displayed at the Museum in the premises. The Handover ceremony took place in the presence of Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj, President and Swami Prabhanandaji Maharaj, General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Order. For further details regarding the event read the full article here:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article894253.ece

To know more about Shyampukur Bati visit: http://shyampukurbati.org/

Great Thinkers on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda

Great Thinkers on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda published by Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Gol Park, Kolkata 700029, Pages : 210, Price : Rs. 60 is now available for Download (free soft copy) or Read online from Belur Math website.

The book is divided into 4 parts, which can be read online consisting of

Title and Contents,

Great Thinkers on Ramakrishna,

Great Thinkers on Vivekananda and

Biographical sketch of the Great Thinkers.

This book first published in 1983 as "World Thinkers on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda" containing the thoughts of eminent world personalities and edited by Swami Lokeshwarananda is now made available online for the benefit of all those who want to know more about contribution of the Ramakrishna - Vivekananda to the world civilization.

One can purchase the above book online from Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata or Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai websites.

Another link about 'Great Thinkers on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda' available on Twitter @chetanhegdem

Voice Recording of Swami Vivekananda: an article in Vedanta Kesari, August 2010

On the Internet these days we find a Voice Recording being circulated purported to be that of Swami Vivekananda. Well, was the voice of Swamiji recorded during his famous Chicago Speech? Is there a recording of Swami Vivekananda available? Is the voice being circulated on the internet that of Swami Vivekananda? We get our answers to all our questions courtesy the following article "Swami Vivekananda's Voice Recording by Shri. M S Nanjundiah" published courtesy in the August 2010 issue of 'The Vedanta Kesari' published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.

Open publication - Free publishing - More vedanta kesari

For more information on The Vedanta Kesari please visit: http://www.chennaimath.org/edownloads/emagazines/vedanta-kesari

Swami Vivekananda Stone-Bench Monument consecration: a report

Consecration Ceremony Photographs:
courtesy Shri. S Sudarshan, Devotee, Bangalore

Dear devotees, Namaskar.

By the grace of the Lord, the consecration of the Swami Vivekananda Stone-bench Monument function went off smoothly on Friday the 27th March 2009.

We are herewith sending a brief report of the event along with a few photographs as attachments.

With good wishes,

yours in the Lord

Swami Harshananda

Ramakrishna Math, Bull Temple Road,

Bangalore - 560019 Ph # 080 - 2661 3149, 2667 1010

Report

On Yugadi day i.e. Friday the 27th March 2009, Swami Vivekananda Stone-bench Monument was consecrated by Srimat Swami Bhaumanandaji Maharaj (President, Ramakrishna Math, Pune). The consecration was done at 7:15 AM followed by special puja, homa, mangalarathi and prasad distribution. The morning session was concluded at 12:30 PM. Around 1200 devotees attended in the morning session.

In the evening there was a public meeting where Srimat Swami Bhaumanandaji Maharaj presided and Dr. Gururaja Karjagi (Director, International Academy for Creative Teaching, Bangalore) was the main speaker. Swami Harshanandaji addressed the gathering explaining the significance of the Stone-bench. Mementos were distributed for the devotees and members who worked for this Stone-bench project. There were about 1600 devotees in the evening session.

Brief report of the Monument

When Swami Vivekananda arrived in Bangalore during December 1892 from Belgaum, he stayed at the Kalappa Choultry in the Majestic area for a few days. During that period he sat and rested quite a few times on a stone- bench attached to the front wall of the house of Sri Sugappa, a jeweller by profession. After discovering later that the sannyasin was none other than Swami Vivekananda, Sri Sugappa and his descendants preserved it carefully with all respect, as a valuable monument. This stone – bench – slab, which was sanctified by Swami Vivekananda, was officially handed over to Ramakrishna Math in January 1997

Three Things....

Three things are necessary to make every Man great, every Nation great:
1. Conviction of the powers of goodness.

2. Absence of jealousy and suspicion.

3. Helping all who are trying to be and do good.

- Swami Vivekananda. C.W. Vol. 8, Epistles - Fourth series. XV

Why read the Gita?

An old farmer lived with his grandson. Each morning grandpa would red his Gita. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him. One day the grandson asked, 'Grandpa! I try to read the Gita just like you but I don't understand it and what I do understand I forget. What good does reading the Gita do?' The grandfather quietly replied, 'Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.' The boy did as he was told but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back. This time the boy ran faster but again the basket was empty. Out of breath, he told his grandfather, that it was impossible and went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible but he wanted to show that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into the river and ran hard but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath he said, 'See grandpa, it's uselless!' 'So you think it is useless?' the old man said, 'Look at the basket.' The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty coal basket and was now clean, inside and out. 'Son, that's what happens when you read the Gita. You might not understand or remember everything but slowly you will be changed inside and out.'

courtesy: Samvit, No. 57. March 2008. published by Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata

Read about the Bhagavad Gita here:
Swami Vivekananda about his Thoughts on the Gita
Bhagavad Gita, the divine song translated by Swami Tapasyananda

Swami Gokulananda: a short Biography, 1929-2007

Recently, I had been to Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi and I came across this beautiful offering at the feet of the Holy Trio
"Swami Gokulananda: a short biography, 1929-2007", dedicated at the loving memory of Swami Gokulanandaji Maharaj by a few Delhi devotees.

Excerpts....

To the Youth, Swami Gokulanandaji used to exhort the following quote from Swami Vivekananda:
"Be Possessed of Shraddha, of strength, attain to the knowledge of the atman, and sacrifice your life for the good of others - this is my wish and blessings"
- Swami Vivekananda. p.4

Swami Gokulanandaji delivered his first lecture at Delhi the title aptly called "Meditation with eyes open"
Swami Gokulanandaji has often been exhorting the devotees to practise this attitude to work i.e, work is meditation with eyes open by the following five-fold spiritual disciplines in daily routine, which he had himself found as very efficacious:

1. Early morning and when alone, reminding ourselves of our divinity
2. During work and interaction, reminding ourselves of the divinity of the people and situations that we deal with.
3. Frequently reminding ourselves of our divinity and that of others.
4. Frequently reminding ourselves that to love others is the highest discipline.
5. Frequently remembering that all women are the manifestation of the Divine Mother. p.44

Let us Meditate on the above words.........

Arise Awake....video on Life and Teachings of Swami Vivekananda

Found this Video 'Arise Awake: Life and Teachings of Swami Vivekananda'....on Google Video made by Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore.

Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission Custom Search...

Search Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission websites through a Custom Search...

Select...RamakrishnaMath & MissionSearch The Web

Do let me have your comments on improving the custom search.....

Work for Others....

Swami Vivekananda: ....Praise and censure have no value in this world of ours. They only rock a man as if in a swing. Praise I have had enough of; showers of censure I have also had to bear; but what avails thinking of them! Let everyone go on doing his own duty, unconcerned. When the last moment arrives, praise and blame will be the same to you, to me, and to others. We are here to work, and will have to leave all when the call comes.

................Think of this infinite universe with its millions and millions of solar systems, and think with what an infinite, incomprehensible power they are impelled, running as if to touch the Feet of the One Unknown - and how little we are! Where then is room here to allow ourselves to indulge in vileness and mean-mindedness? What should we gain here by fostering mutual enmity and party-spirit? Take my advice: Set yourselves wholly to the service of others, when you come from your colleges. Believe me, far greater happiness would then be yours than if you had had a whole treasury full of money and other valuables at your command. As you go on your way serving others you will, on a parallel line, advance in the path of knowledge.
(excerpts from 'Talks with Swami Vivekananda'. Chapter IV. Surendra Nath Das Gupta, Work for Others. p.498)

National Youth Day

In India, January 12th of every year is celebrated as National Youth Day. It is the Birthday of Swami Vivekananda, the patron of Youth. Swami Vivekananda's Biography by Swami Nikhilananda is available online on RamakrishnaVivekanada , this site also has got a link to the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda.

Way to learn religion - Swami Vivekananda

Views of an athma: Way to learn religion - Swami Vivekananda by Ramesh L is worth reading.

Photographs of Swami Vivekananda

The Vivekananda Vedanta network a project sponsored by Ramakrishna Vedanta Society, Boston has provided a Photogallery of 106 photos & a brief Biography of Swami Vivekananda to make Swami Vivekananda’s ideas and insights easily accessible online. It also has got an Egreeting & a Build a Calendar section.
Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai has published the following books of Photographs of Swami Vivekananda which is available for online shopping.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA(English) compiled & researched by members of the Vedanta Society of Northern California. pages 286+xvii.
ISBN 81-7823-00-3. Rs. 200.00
This is a work to be treasured; it is an invaluable testament to the fact that the incomparable mind & heart of Swami Vivekananda were embodied in a uniquely beautiful human form. That such a person walked among us & loved us was one of the rare events in the history of humanity that assures us of our worth & of our potential greatness. one wants to gaze endlessly at every page of this carefully & thoroughly researched book & know that, afterall, we, the human race, cannot be nearly so bad as we seem. - Sister Gargi (Marie Louise Burke) from the blurb of the book.


VIVEKANANDA : A BIOGRAPHY IN PICTURES(English)
The story of the Swamiji's life, as told through these pictures and their accompanying quotations or narative, has been divided into seven chapters, and each chapter is introduced by an account of the Swamiji's life during that period.
pages 120. ISBN: 81-7505-080-2. Rs. 130.00

"The Truths he preaches would have been as true, had he never been born. Nay more, they would have been equally authentic. The difference would have lain in their difficulty of access, in their want of modern clearness & incisiveness of statement & in their loss of mental coherence & unity. Had he not lived, texts that today will carry the bread of life to thousands might have remained the obscure disputes of scholars. He taught with authority & not as one of the pundits. For he himself had plunged to the depths of the realization which he preached & he came back like Ramanuja, only to tell its secrets to the pariah, the outcast & the foreigner." - Sister Nivedita from the dust jacket of the book.

Vivekananda -- The Guide

Swami Vivekananda -- The Guide a blog containing the words of Swami Vivekananda by RaviChandra.